What happened with Virgin America this quarter? Available seat miles for the first quarter increased 15.8% compared to the prior-year period, with Virgin Americaending the quarter with 58 Airbus A320-family aircraft in service, up from 53 aircraft at the end of Q1 2015.

Advertisement

Passenger revenue per available seat mile, or PRASM, decreased 3.8% year over year to9.88 cents, driven by a 3.7% decrease in yield (average fare paid per mile per passenger) to 12.34 cents per passenger mile. Total RASM decreased 3.7% year over year to 11.15 cents.

Total cost per available seat mile, or CASM (excluding special items) declined 8.8% compared to Q1 2015 to10.13 cents, primarily due to a 35.9% drop in fuel costs.

All told, adjusted net income surged 74.5% to $18.4 million, and 70.8% on a per-share basis to $0.41.

What management had to say"Virgin Americaperformed exceptionally well as we entered 2016," saidCEO David Cush in a press release. "We reported record first quarter net income driven by continued unit revenue outperformance as compared with the domestic industry and the benefit of lower fuel costs. Importantly, we achieved these results with capacity growth of nearly 16 percent in the first quarter while also maintaining our focus on non-fuel unit costs."

Looking forwardDue to its proposed merger with Alaska Air Group, Virgin America said that it would no longer be providing forward guidance. The company also declined to provide any information in regard to the timing of the closing of the transaction with Alaska Air Group. Cush did, however, take time to highlight Virgin America's success during the company's conference call.

Cush went on to say that Alaska Airlines has similarly reduced its cost structure and invested in its services.

"We look forward to joining forces with them to bring more high-quality, low-fare service to more markets across North America," he said.